James Cameron 3D Camera Test
A 3D camera test directed by James Cameron for Apple Vision, featuring an immersive bar environment built on the Avatar Volume stage
In 2024, I had the opportunity to production design a set for filmmaker James Cameron as part of a 3D camera test, showcasing the system’s capabilities for Apple Vision. The directive was to create a richly textured environment with maximum visual complexity—no broad planes, no vertical austerity.
Originally conceived as a sports bar, the space evolved into a military base bar reminiscent of Top Gun: Maverick, designed to emphasize parallax cues and layered foreground/background compositions. Built on the Avatar Volume stage, the set also served as a test bed for Cameron’s Avatar technology. He flew in his mo-cap team from New Zealand to integrate Avatar performers into the physical set, adding an extra layer of performance and spatial depth. The goal was to explore future-forward integrations—such as dynamic advertising or branding—within immersive environments.
I focused on Cameron’s visual mandates: cool palettes, a dark base to enhance skin tones, and practical elements like gauzy curtains or blinds for sidelight. The result was a cinematic environment blending 18th/19th-century period influences with contemporary grit, built to support both immersive 3D storytelling and advanced virtual production.
